About

NZ$ 11,221

137

An artist's impression of the hardback book. Please note that the final product will differ slightly in appearance.

A few of the 'Author's Final Draft' softback copies ready to ship, complete with hand edits and notes.

Endorsements

Rob Bell, New York Times Bestselling Author of 'Love Wins'

Colby Martin, author of 'UnClobber', thoroughly recommends that you read 'Space for the Spectrum' for yourself!

Some verbal endorsements

A sneak peek

Hand editing my final draft...

You're gay? It's okay...

because everyone is different, and everyone needs a loving space to be themselves. But for me, growing up gay was difficult enough without having to worry about God sending me to hell.

This book is a culmination of over 10 years of my personal journaling through high school and early young adulthood. In it I share some of my deepest and darkest memories, as well as some of the happiest moments I experienced growing up as a young man trying to follow Jesus in a surfing environment, while wrestling with my feelings for the same sex.

The good news is that I found space to be myself, I discovered that there was nothing wrong with me, and that God loved me absolutely. 'Coming out' was both the most difficult and rewarding thing I have ever done, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My mother shares her journey too, through an inspiring chapter of her own.

But the book doesn't stop there. You are invited to hear my thoughts on how we can make this world a better place for everyone who is different, everyone who needs a safe loving space to be themselves, unconditionally.

I also share my thoughts on how Jesus is being misrepresented by the very people who claim to follow him, and how we need to look past that and see Jesus for who he really was - a man of deep compassion and grace.

And lastly, I share a little bit on how we can start to see our dreams take shape just by changing the way we think and speak about them.

You can also expect one or two surprises.

The aim of this book is to create a resource on LGBTQ and faith that is both accessible and conversational. I have found many books on the topic of faith and LGBTQ to be very 'heavy' and overwhelming at times, and I also feel that many young people are not drawn to books that do not allow them to relate to the events they are reading about. And so, by balancing humour and seriousness I believe that I have made a book that people of all ages and backgrounds will be comfortable reading, and I believe that the contents of this book will be both challenging and inspiring to all.

This book is part-illustrated

One of the coolest things about this book is that my friend, Samuel Burnett, has illustrated it for me. Here are some samples:

Above is a printed softback copy that is being edited by hand. 90 of these will be available as a special for the 'Author's Final Draft' version reward tier. It'll contain final edits and small notes.

We can all do with a hug!

Meet the ostrich that experienced it all!

What's with the funding goal?

The funds raised through this Kickstarter project will cover all costs involved in setting up this book, illustrating it, marketing it, creating my launch video, posting the books out to you, Kickstarter charges, bank charges, Thirst Project donation (see below), and covering whatever other little expenses I have incurred along the way (and there are some pretty random ones).

The Thirst Project

Another great thing about buying this book is that by doing so you are also helping to bring clean drinking water to communities without. This is because for every book that is sold NZ$ 2 will be given to The Thirst Project, an organisation that was started by my friend, Seth Maxwell, to help end the world's water crisis. It is now currently the world's largest youth water organisation!

NZ$ 2 will be donated on your behalf to help end the world's water crisis.

Risks and challenges

This book has been completed and is ready to be sent in for printing. A limited number of softback copies have already been printed and have all been personally hand edited for the 'Author's Final Draft' reward tier.

Because I am one man on my own doing this whole thing, mailing out the books won't be easy. I know you understand that, and I know you'll be patient while I do all that I can to get the books out to you as soon as possible :)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge NZ$ 55 or more
About $38

Book + Print + Flash

Receive a personally signed spot gloss hardback copy of the book PLUS a print of an illustration of your choice PLUS a flash drive full of cool personal media content. Some of the content will include never before publicly released short-films of mine, as well as cool video shorts from my trips to the USA, some videos related to things I wrote about in the book and some other random cool things related to the book.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge NZ$ 65 or more
About $45

The Laugh Supper

Receive a personally signed spot gloss hardback copy of the book PLUS join me for dinner in Auckland as I share some more stories and listen to yours. Also open to South Africa (I'll be in Durban and Cape Town over December 2017) and certain parts of the USA (when I next visit).
*Dinner is not included in this price.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge NZ$ 70 or more
About $49

The Illustrated You and Me

Receive a personally signed spot gloss hardback copy of the book PLUS a beautifully illustrated and unique print of you and me, side by side (as with the cover of the book), drawn by the talented Samuel Burnett.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge NZ$ 650 or more
About $452

The Groupie

Receive TWENTY FIVE personally signed spot gloss hardback copies of the book PLUS I'll come along to your group and spend a couple of hours in a time of discussion and creativity (or whatever you'd like me to do with your group).